Strut10 Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 O.K. I just got back from checking my turtle hooks & I've got about a 25 pounder hanging, bleeding out. Never ate one before, but always thought I'd try it. This oughta be a good "eatin' size" turtle, shouldn't it??? So.......where is the meat that you eat (legs?? backstraps??) and what's the best way to get at it?? I've butchered a lot of critters in my lifetime. But this is completely new territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TC308 Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? Not real sure how to get the meat. But when you do it's good eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? Im the same way. Ive never cleaned one but ate plenty. Its very good white meat. They eat a lot of live fish so its pretty clean meat. We caught one when I was a kid that weighed in at 76lbs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? HAHA, right up my alley, IF I can remeber how to do this. The main meat is on the legs. You'll just have to cut the shell on the sides and peel it apart to get to the innerds. Then just skin'em out. Should be able to get some neck meat also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? the snapper and loggerhead are good, but the best meat comes from the softshells. Cleaning a turtle can be a pain! First, cut the head off. Next, either nail to a tree or lay it flat on its back on hard & flat surface. Cut the skin away from the shell all the way around in front and in back, then use a long bladed knife to run along the inside of the bottom of the shell to separate the meat from the bottom shell. Use thick bladed knife to pry top & bottom shell apart.Skin legs and neck and remove from top shell. Make sure you get the tenderloin along the spine, its the best part. Just cut out the protective ribs and cut 'em out. You might want to cut the feet off before you start skinnin, snappers keep kickin and clawin long after you cut their head off the best way is to pressure cook them so they get tender and then you can flour them or batter and fry em up that is the best http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/prof/Recipes/Turtle/turtle.html http://www.backwoodsbound.com/xturtle.html http://bertc.com/turtle.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? Guy I served with in Erie used to catch them too. He made lamp shades out of the shells. Don't ask, cuz' I don't know. Anyway, he used to go at the tail too, seems there's a little meat there too. I hear it tastes like chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? Rifleman nailed it. Sory, it has been TO LONG since I cleaned one. And he IS right, softshell turtle, now that's good stuff right there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted June 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....new update!!! Thanks for all the quick replies!!! I had him bleeding pretty good from the .22 hollow points that I used to "subdue" him. But I just went out with knife & hatchet to properly alleviate him of his noggin. I cut through the hide and neck meat with the knife then gave him a quick whack with the hatchet................and a hard lead cast .38 or .357 bullet came rolling out!!!!!!! Apparently my dad didn't miss one of those turtles he said he did!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CokerColaBear Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....new update!!! I hate to say it, but all that does not sound appealing to my stomach, YUK!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted June 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....new update!!! [ QUOTE ] I hate to say it, but all that does not sound appealing to my stomach, YUK!!! [/ QUOTE ] O.K There's one name I can cross off my invitation list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....new update!!! [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I hate to say it, but all that does not sound appealing to my stomach, YUK!!! [/ QUOTE ] O.K There's one name I can cross off my invitation list. [/ QUOTE ] Hey, Strut !! I'll have some of that delacey(sp) Turtle Yummy.Yummy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? This is how you do it. put him in an icehouse or cooling unit for about 24 hours so it slows him down. Cut the head off, remove the top part of the shell, scald him for a few minutes and then scrape the skin off. Disassemble the legs, tail, back, and rest of the body. Soak for 24 hours in salt water, rinse well and cook it like you would chicken and then make gravy with the pan drippings and put the cooked pieces back into the pan and heat thoroughly. If done right it will fall apart on your fork. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutter Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? Sounds like I need me a Turtle. lol.... I'll try almost anything once. That is edible that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? i have never had it myself. But I have heard it was really good. I would try but I dont see many turtles all that big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? I think I will stick to buffalo! I know that is great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG_BUCK_1 Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? we just got done cleaning 11 snappers and 25lbs is a big one all you really got to do is peel the skin back, cut the breast bone snap the joints it is pretty easy but it takes awhile. If you lived closer i would of take it off you hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted June 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? [ QUOTE ] If you lived closer i would of take it off you hands [/ QUOTE ] If I lived closer you could have the rotten thing. What a pain in the rump to clean!!!!! Talk about a butcher job!! It's about darn impossible to hold pieces of turtle where you need them to be whilst you're cutting off meat. Then, nothing's in a straight line to cut.......like a fish or a turkey breast or something. I got a decent pot of meat off it. But, unless the stuff tastes like manna from Heaven.........I'll be putting a slug through all the rest and tossing them into the jingweeds. My hat's off to anybody that just cleaned 11 of them. You're more of a man than I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doughboy1956 Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? Lots to hold onto this snapping turtle!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? [ QUOTE ] Sounds like I need me a Turtle. lol.... I'll try almost anything once. That is edible that is. [/ QUOTE ] Try it once and you would eat it again.... It really is very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiteRunner Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? We just caught one a week or two ago for a friend. He said the meat was usually grisly (sp?) And a different taste everytime. He used to make Clocks out of the shell, looks pretty neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? Got a neighbor up the road here that eats a lot of turtles. Never tried them myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailkiller Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Re: 25 lb. snapping turtle.....now what??? [ QUOTE ] This is how you do it. put him in an icehouse or cooling unit for about 24 hours so it slows him down. Cut the head off, remove the top part of the shell, scald him for a few minutes and then scrape the skin off. Disassemble the legs, tail, back, and rest of the body. Soak for 24 hours in salt water, rinse well and cook it like you would chicken and then make gravy with the pan drippings and put the cooked pieces back into the pan and heat thoroughly. If done right it will fall apart on your fork. Archerjg [/ QUOTE ] that is the only way i ever had it.........good eatin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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